Let It Bean Salad

A refreshing change from potato and macaroni salad for summer dinners or a picnic ...also healthy with lots of fiber.  This is a recipe taken from the Looneyspoons cookbook.

2 c. fresh or frozen cut green beans, cooked and cooled
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
1 c. corn
1/2 c. red onion, diced
1 c. diced red or orange bell pepper
1/2 c. chopped parsley

Mix all these ingredients together.   Then mix and add dressing.  Cover and refrigerate overnight for the best flavor.

Dressing
1/4 c. safflower or olive oil
1/4 c. vinegar
2 T. sugar
1 t. Dijon mustard
1/2 t. celery seed

Lemon Cooler Cookies

When I was growing up they sold a boxed cookie called Lemon Coolers.  They were light, lemony deliciousness.  Recently on the blog, "Uncommon Designs" I came across a recipe for these cookies.
They are perfect for the summer.  They only make 3 dozen so portions aren't a problem--anyway they are gone before you even become worried about that.  My gand daughter thought they were so good that we should just sit and eat them all and not worry about sharing with anyone.  To her disappointment, she got 3 and we saved the rest.

2/3 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
3 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

The topping:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

Preheat your oven to 350.  Then line cooky sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Beat butter, powdered sugar and regular sugar until well creamed.

Mix in vanilla, eggs, and lemon extract.

Then add flour, baking powder and salt.

Finally add in the lemon juice, and the zest.

Roll into balls and put on cooky sheets.  Bake for 15 minutes.

For the topping mix the zest and powdered sugar.

When the cookies are done let them cool for 4 minutes then roll in the powdered sugar mixture and allow to continue cooling.

Snickerdoodle Waffles

My grand daughter is a big fan of breakfast for dinner.  So one busy evening, I decided that this recipe was just the thing for a simple and quick dinner.  You can use the recipe and make up the batter, or cheat and mix some cinnamon and vanilla into a Bisquick waffle mix recipe.  Then dip and serve.  Watch for smiles all around!

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 2 TB sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup milk warm
•  1 t. cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla 

Mix all ingredients.  Cook in waffle maker.  After cooking, dip waffles in melted butter and then cinnamon sugar.  Serve as is or with maple syrup.